Today is Victoria Day in Canada, a national holiday honouring Queen Victoria's birthday, and our national connection to Britain and the Royal Monarchy. Queen Victoria was in charge of things in the UK from 1837 to 1901, and was the first sovereign - though more ceremonial - head of Canada too.

After spending some time on Wikipedia, I learned that the first Victoria Day was celebrated back in 1854, thirteen years before Canada was even a country. In my own province of Nova Scotia (which means New Scotland in Latin) we have many close ties to our British and Scottiish ancestors - we love our kilts and tartans - and who doesn't love a statutory holiday?

On the other side of the country in British Columbia - many would probably assume that Vancouver is the capital city. But in fact, it's Victoria. Another little known fact is that I was born in Victoria, and lived there for about two weeks. Military dad.

Victoria (the city, not the Queen) has some really nice Parliament Buildings - the Provincial Legislature is pictured below:

 Photo by Ryan Bushby - Creative Commons 2.5      

So have a great Victoria Day whatever country you're living in.